Self-diagnosis display unit

ABSTRACT

To a self-diagnosis indication system for performing a startup disablement indication when an abnormal condition is self-detected at the time of start up without using on/off signals from a starter switch. There is provided a self-diagnosis indication system for outputting an operation control signal from an ECU by allowing signals from respective types of sensors for detecting an operating condition and a crank pulse signal for detecting a rotation of a crankshaft to enter the ECU and outputting a startup disablement indication signal in a state that an abnormal condition is self-detected at the time of startup, the self-diagnosis indication system being characterized in that a startup disablement indication signal is outputted when a crank pulse signal is inputted in the state that an abnormal condition is self-detected at the time of startup.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a self diagnosis indication system (adiagnosis indication system) such as provided on automobiles and/ormotorcycles.

BACKGROUND ART

The configuration and operation flow of a conventional self-diagnosisindication system is shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in (A) of FIG. 2, detection signals from respective types ofsensors for detecting an operating condition of an engine, an on/offsignal from a starter switch and a crank pulse signal for detecting therotation of a crankshaft to thereby calculate an engine rotational speedand a crank angle are inputted into an ECU (engine control unit). TheECU performs operation controls on such as ignition timing and fuelinjection based on predetermined programs and maps according to thesesignals and outputs an abnormality indication signal to illuminate anindication lamp so as to indicate the presence of an abnormal conditionwhen any abnormality is detected which results from disconnection andshort circuit. In addition, when an abnormal condition is detected atthe time of startup, a startup disablement indication is implemented.

In this startup disablement indicating operation, as shown in (B) ofFIG. 2, whether or not the abnormality was detected by a self-diagnosisis determined (step S1), and whether or not the abnormality was detectedat the time of startup is determined by judging whether or not thestarter switch was switched on when the abnormal condition occurred(step S2), and in the event that it was at the time of startup, then astartup disablement indication is implemented (step S3).

However, with the conventional self-diagnosis indication system, sincethe startup condition is determined by using on/off signals of thestarter switch, the determination means and signal wiring become complexand costs are also increased.

The present invention was intended to deal with the related art and anobject thereof is to provide a self-diagnosis indication system forperforming a startup disablement indication when an abnormal conditionis self-detected at the time of startup without using on/off signalsfrom a starter switch.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

With a view to attaining the object, according to the present invention,there is provided a self-diagnosis indication system for outputting anoperation control signal from an ECU by allowing signals from respectivetypes of sensors for detecting an operating condition and a crank pulsesignal for detecting a rotation of a crankshaft to enter the ECU andoutputting a startup disablement indication signal in a state that anabnormal condition is self-detected at the time of startup, theself-diagnosis indication system being characterized in that a startupdisablement indication signal is outputted when a crank pulse signal isinputted in the state that an abnormal condition is self-detected.

According to this configuration, in the event that an engine is startedup in a state that a certain abnormal condition is self-detected, sincethe rotation of the engine is detected by the crank pulse signal, thatthe abnormality is detected at the time of startup can be detected bythe input of the crank pulse signal, whereby a startup disablementindication signal can be outputted so as to indicate that a startup isnot possible. Thus, a startup disablement indication can be implementedwithout using on/off signals of the starter switch but with a simpleconfiguration using simple and inexpensive wiring and circuits.

According to a preferred configuration example, the self-diagnosisindication system has an abnormality indicating means for indicating theabnormal condition so self-detected, whereby a startup disablementcondition is indicated by changing indication modes of the abnormalityindicating means by the startup disablement indication signal.

According to this configuration, an abnormal condition is indicated byilluminating, for example, an indication lamp when the abnormalcondition is self-detected, and when a startup is attempted in thisabnormal condition, the indication modes of the indication lamp arechanged, for example, to cause the indication lamp to flash so as toindicate a startup disablement condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is explanatory drawings depicting the configuration and operationflow of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is explanatory drawings depicting the configuration and operationflow of a conventional abnormality indication system.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows explanatory diagrams depicting the configuration andoperation flow of an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in (A) of FIG. 1, detection signals from respective types ofsensors (for example, an intake air pressure sensor, a throttle positionsensor, a coolant temperature sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor,and an intake air temperature sensor) for detecting an operatingcondition of an engine and a crank pulse signal for detecting therotation of a crankshaft to thereby calculate an engine rotational speedand a crank angle are inputted into an ECU (engine control unit). TheECU performs operation controls on such as ignition timing and fuelinjection based on predetermined programs and maps according to thesesignals and outputs an abnormality indication signal to illuminate anindication lamp so as to indicate the presence of an abnormal conditionwhen any abnormality is detected which results from disconnection andshort circuit. In addition, when an abnormal condition is detected atthe time of startup, a startup disablement indication is implemented.

As shown in (B) of FIG. 1, in this flow of startup disablementindicating operation, firstly, whether or not the abnormality wasdetected by a self-diagnosis is determined (step T1). This is a step fordetermining whether or not a certain failure such as disconnection orshort circuit of the sensors has been detected. If an abnormality isdetermined in this step T1, an abnormality indication is implemented byilluminating, for example, a red lamp.

Next, whether or not a crank pulse signal exists, that is, an engine isrotating when the abnormality is occurring (when YES in T1) isdetermined (step T2). Thus, whether or not the engine has been operatedto be put in a startup condition is determined. If the engine is in thestartup condition (when YES in T2), a startup disablement indication isimplemented (step T3). This startup disablement indication can be, forexample, a red lamp flashing indication by changing the indication modesof the red lamp. Thus, the user can be aware that the engine is in theoperation disablement condition.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As has been described heretofore, in the present invention, in the eventthat the engine is started up in the state that a certain abnormalcondition is self-detected, since the rotation of the engine is detectedby the crank pulse signal, that the abnormality is detected at the timeof startup can be detected by the input of the crank pulse signal,whereby a startup disablement indication signal can be outputted so asto indicate that a startup is not possible. Thus, a startup disablementindication can be implemented without using on/off signals of thestarter switch but with a simple configuration using simple andinexpensive wiring and circuits.

1. A self-diagnosis indication system for outputting an operationcontrol signal from an ECU by allowing signals from respective types ofsensors for detecting an operating condition of an engine and a crankpulse signal for detecting a rotation of a crankshaft to enter the ECUand outputting a startup disablement indication signal in a state thatan abnormal condition of the engine is self-detected at the time ofstartup, the self diagnosis indication system being characterized inthat; a startup disablement indication signal is determined when saidcrank pulse signal is inputted in the state that said abnormal conditionis self-detected.
 2. A self-diagnosis indication system as set forth inclaim 1, having abnormality indicating means for indicating the abnormalcondition so self-detected, whereby said startup disablement conditionis indicated by changing indication modes of the abnormality indicatingmeans by the startup disablement indication signal.